I agree that you ABSOLUTELY need a subtitle. Then your main title can be as short and compelling as you like. The Parallel Journey is interesting as a starting place. I think you should write first and see what comes out. It's possible that one of your interviewees will drop a phrase that really resonates.
I agree with this too. You have a good idea what the goal of the book is and the title may improve /find itself as you write. But I do like the below comment even better: a guide to illness: navigating the journey you never wanted to go on. I also thought of “tackling the emotions and identity change of chronic illness” but that’s also long…
Thanks, Julie! That's a great point, that perhaps a phrase will come up in the interviews. I'll keep an eye out for one ... And I agree 100% it needs a subtitle!
‘A Guide to Illness: Navigating the Journey You Never Wanted to Go On’
I don’t know if the guide needs to be secret or intimate. I think more importantly it’s simply a guide. And I think your sub title adds that personal element.
I wonder if folks who may be buying the book would be people who’ve been newly diagnosed, so there may be some anxiety about what they’re getting. So, I think a title that is straightforward works well, in my opinion!
Ah, this is a much more straightforward and clear option. It also occurs to me that it might be more SEO-friendly — if people are searching for a book like this, they aren't going to type "the parallel journey" into Google, but more like "guide to illness." And that's another huge part of this, figuring out to connect with people who would find it useful. Thanks so much for this helpful thought, Matt!
This is all so interesting and helpful - thanks, Michelle! "A" vs "The" — I see what you mean, and I totally see what you mean by "secret" feeling a little suspect and dubious these days as a title. I think my friend was put off by "illness" and "navigating" - "Finding your way" might be better. "Experiences" plural is a great tip. I am also excited for your book, and can't wait to hear more about it!
My working title is ‘Life Lessons from the Death Trade’ I’m not sure whether to put a hyphen after Life Lessons or add a subtitle like “advice for the living”. I expect that a future publisher’s marketing department will have Views and who am I to tell them their job, but I do not-so-secretly hope they keep the working title. Its a series of stories and insights inspired by working in the funeral industry.
Ohhh my! I think you are totally right. I was thinking "I should interview HIM" (which would make it WHOM) but it's actually "HE should be interviewed" (which makes it WHO). I feel silly and will edit the post. Thank you for noticing that! You win Editor of the Week!
"Travel" is a neat idea - I'll play with that. Thanks so much for the feedback!
That's a great shorter option! I appreciate so much you being willing to talk with me about your illness and will look out for the email. Thanks, Angela!
I agree that you ABSOLUTELY need a subtitle. Then your main title can be as short and compelling as you like. The Parallel Journey is interesting as a starting place. I think you should write first and see what comes out. It's possible that one of your interviewees will drop a phrase that really resonates.
I agree with this too. You have a good idea what the goal of the book is and the title may improve /find itself as you write. But I do like the below comment even better: a guide to illness: navigating the journey you never wanted to go on. I also thought of “tackling the emotions and identity change of chronic illness” but that’s also long…
Thanks, Laura! That's so helpful.
Thanks, Julie! That's a great point, that perhaps a phrase will come up in the interviews. I'll keep an eye out for one ... And I agree 100% it needs a subtitle!
I wondered why not simply,
‘A Guide to Illness: Navigating the Journey You Never Wanted to Go On’
I don’t know if the guide needs to be secret or intimate. I think more importantly it’s simply a guide. And I think your sub title adds that personal element.
I wonder if folks who may be buying the book would be people who’ve been newly diagnosed, so there may be some anxiety about what they’re getting. So, I think a title that is straightforward works well, in my opinion!
I like this option!!
Ah, this is a much more straightforward and clear option. It also occurs to me that it might be more SEO-friendly — if people are searching for a book like this, they aren't going to type "the parallel journey" into Google, but more like "guide to illness." And that's another huge part of this, figuring out to connect with people who would find it useful. Thanks so much for this helpful thought, Matt!
I’m excited for your book! I had several thoughts about your title:
A’ rather than ‘The’ always appeals to me: nuanced and less didactic.
‘Secret’ is no longer appealing (to me) thanks to click bait article titles.
Does your friend like ‘finding your way’ better than ‘navigating’?
‘Experiences’ is more inclusive than ‘experience’ and sounds less like a memoir.
Subtitles seem to be A Thing for non-fiction and I like to see how you’re thinking about your project as I’m working on my own NF book.
This is all so interesting and helpful - thanks, Michelle! "A" vs "The" — I see what you mean, and I totally see what you mean by "secret" feeling a little suspect and dubious these days as a title. I think my friend was put off by "illness" and "navigating" - "Finding your way" might be better. "Experiences" plural is a great tip. I am also excited for your book, and can't wait to hear more about it!
My working title is ‘Life Lessons from the Death Trade’ I’m not sure whether to put a hyphen after Life Lessons or add a subtitle like “advice for the living”. I expect that a future publisher’s marketing department will have Views and who am I to tell them their job, but I do not-so-secretly hope they keep the working title. Its a series of stories and insights inspired by working in the funeral industry.
I like “Our experience” or Navigating the journey, but using “travel“ instead of “go on”.
“ Who should be interviewed? ” - maybe a little less stodgy, but grammatically correct, no?
So excited!!
Ohhh my! I think you are totally right. I was thinking "I should interview HIM" (which would make it WHOM) but it's actually "HE should be interviewed" (which makes it WHO). I feel silly and will edit the post. Thank you for noticing that! You win Editor of the Week!
"Travel" is a neat idea - I'll play with that. Thanks so much for the feedback!
I love Navigating the journey..
But Maybe shorten to Navigating the Journey You Never Wanted
I’ll send you an email about my illness, possible interview etc!
That's a great shorter option! I appreciate so much you being willing to talk with me about your illness and will look out for the email. Thanks, Angela!